Page 24 of The Dread Queen's Bargain

Hecate continued.

“When you do meet with Thanatos, just remember, he’s probably just as nervous as you are.”

Makaria rolled her eyes. “Is this like when you’re afraid of spiders and your parents say, ‘They’re more afraid of you than you are of them?’”

“Oh no,” Hecate said calmly. “Everyone should be more afraid of Thanatos.”

Makaria’s eyes widened, and she sputtered for something to say.

“Or,” Persephone’s face lit up with a devilish expression, “you can spend a year ruining his life—”

“Not helping, Seph,” Hecate chided with a groan, running her hand through her hair. “Don’t listen to her. She’s been stringing Hades along ever since she ran away from her mother and escaped down here.”

Persephone raised an eyebrow. I’m not sure how three days of hooking up means that I’m stringing him along, but yes, we’re technically engaged, and I walked out on him. Does that make you feel better, Makaria? The men of the Underworld are emotional children.

“I am not stringing him along.” Persephone turned up her nose playfully and struggled to find the right words. “I am simply making sure that Hades realizes how mad he is for me before I acquiesce.” Persephone’s eyes widened as she surprised herself with her sentiment. Her words almost didn’t feel like her own.

Damn prophecy. Fates’s magic.

“Oh, he’s mad at you all right,” Hecate scoffed, but Persephone was unbothered. If she’d learned anything living with Demeter, it was how to stage mind games like an Olympian. She could command a room and manipulate emotions like Apollo or Artemis.

“Listen to me, Makaria,” Persephone popped another pomegranate seed into her mouth. “The secret to the men of the Underworld is this…” She paused, commanding the kitchen table like it was a stage. “Shades of mortals and immortals alike find their final haven here. It’s the ultimate repose for every soul. Hades, Erebus, Charon… They’re all looking for their safe place too.”

Silence settled over the kitchen.

“Even Thanatos?” she asked quietly, sounding timid.

Persephone nodded slowly as an idea occurred to her.

“Especially Thanatos. Now, what do you say we head topside? It’s almost the Feast of Dionysus after all, and it sounds like you could use a good party.”

9

Persephone started mentally preparing herself for a confrontation. Makaria looked like she needed a break. Going to the feast of Dionysus was a good excuse for Persephone to have a long overdue conversation with her mother. Makaria would function as a decent cover—if she were escorting a young goddess of the Underworld to an Olympian party, it would make Persephone’s alliance with the Underworld clear. There would be fewer opportunities for Demeter or Zeus to insist that Persephone stay with them.

“Do you want to come, Hecate?” Persephone stood up and adjusted her chiton. She snapped her fingers, twisting her hair into a more appropriate updo. Hecate started laughing hysterically and didn’t bother with any further explanation. She slipped off somewhere with Aeëtes before Makaria and Persephone had even left.

“I suppose that’s a no,” Makaria shrugged.

Persephone nodded, extending her arm out towards Makaria.

“I don’t think Hecate has been seen on Olympus in two thousand years. She travels through the mortal world sparingly enough but never Olympus. I can’t say I blame her. Are you ready?”

Makaria looked paler than usual. “I… I guess so.”

“You’ll be fine.” Persephone winked. “Hold on tight.” Persephone had no problems summoning her old magic—the winds of spring—and whisking them to the front steps of Zeus’s before Makaria could react further.

The temple was lined with shining columns, with nearly a dozen steps up to the great doors. Each step was mosaicked with brilliant tile that shone with gemstones. Great basins of fire stood taller than both goddesses, and the air already smelled of smoke, ambrosia, and wine. Persephone’s stomach dropped and filled with dread. She hadn’t realized how accustomed she’d grown to the Underworld atmosphere. Dropping onto Mt. Olympus was jarring. Persephone took a deep, calming breath and prepared to wield personalities like weapons—the only way to survive a drunken party at Zeus’s.

At least it’s the feast of Dionysus, Persephone consoled herself. He has limits and ensures his guests don’t cross them either.

“Now,” Persephone squeezed Makaria’s hand as they materialized together in front of the doors, “remember, it’s not a successful party unless someone wants to fuck you and someone else wants to fight you.”

Makaria’s eyes got wide. Persephone chuckled to herself as she released Makaria’s arm. It was the best advice she could give regarding the volatile emotions of the Olympians.

“Do you like spending time with these people?” Makaria asked gently, looking confused.

“Oh, absolutely not. They’re horrid, each and every one of them.” Persephone shook her head and made a retching noise. “I’ve learned it’s best to play the part of bubbly, kind-hearted goddess of spring.” Persephone winked. “They never suspect her of anything.” She threw the doors open and could see Makaria was immediately overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of a raucous party.

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